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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Gallery Video Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview November 20, 2006 Interim police chief could extend stay By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings Goodpaster The Ashland City Council will consider whether to extend the interim police chief's contract in light of the fact that the search for a new chief is taking longer than expected. The council meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Ashland Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main St. Interim Police Chief Ron Goodpaster's contract expires in the first week of December. The city will not have hired a new chief by then. The selection process for a recruiting firm was slowed by the large number of firms that submitted bids for the job. Then the chosen firm could not complete a candidate profile until September because a key firm member was unavailable during August, according to a memo from city staff to the city council. The city will conduct candidate interviews in mid-December, with the council likely choosing a new police chief in January or February 2007. The new person could begin work in March 2007, the memo stated. Goodpaster is covered by the state's retirement plan and cannot work more than 1,039 hours this year. To keep below that limit, he would take two weeks of unpaid leave and drop to a 30-hour-work week to finish out 2006. Although Goodpaster's base pay would fall because he is working fewer hours, he would also receive a raise. His base pay would go from $6,843 per month for full-time work to $6,323 per month for part-time work if the council approves his new contract. In January 2007, he would resume full-time work at $7,694 per month. The city will pay for his position with salary savings from vacant positions in the police department, including the chief position, according to the memo. Police Chief Mike Bianca stepped down from his post earlier this year. Also Tuesday night, the city council will discuss the composition and goals of a proposed Street Financing Task Force. The task force would recommend minimum standards for street maintenance and research options for coming up with the $1.5 million to $2 million the city needs each year to care for streets, sidewalks, bike paths and railroad crossings. In other business, the council will: "¢ consider whether to apply ethics provisions, which now apply to city employees, to elected and appointed city officials as well; "¢ discuss whether to adopt standards for issuing or denying parade permits; . discuss Ashland Parks and Recreation Department maintenance of Ashland School District grounds; "¢ hear that a Pacific madrone at Mountain View Cemetery has been named the 2006 Tree of the Year; "¢ pick a member of the council to serve on a Jackson County-wide committee working to end homelessness; "¢ listen to a presentation from Oregon Department of Transportation officials regarding Exits 14 and 19; "¢ hear an update on revising the Conservation Element of the city Comprehensive Plan; . "¢ decide whether to finalize a ban on fluoride and other medicines in the city's drinking water and an increase in the dollar amount of contracts that don't need formal bids. The council will meet in a closed session at 6 p.m. to discuss pending litigation and labor negotiations. For a complete list of agenda items and for more information on items, visit www.ashland.or.us /Page.asp?NavID=9780. Staff writer Vickie Aldous can be reached at 479-8199 or [email protected]. Current Comments: Well the explains why Selby and co.were after Mike's job a little pay raise.No wonder the city always whining for money.The performance we have been seening does not warrant and the price its costing us. We should be demanding a better performane. ann - ashland or - November 21st, 7:56 AM First,why has the city not hired a new chief?This is a major failure on the part of the city administration.Come on Mayor,you were fully involved with removing Bianca,how about getting us a new chief.Ignoring the situation down there does not solve deep rooted problems.An interm chief who will work part time?Rehiring fired officers?Watching good officers resign one after another?Selby and Wlash running things without a choke chain(Bianca)? Scary? Its just a matter of time before it all blows up Steve L. Iverson - Ashland,Jefferson - November 21st, 11:32 PM Well one off the most important things in town is the APD but its another 3 month project.How many more mistakes will be made by then.These folks need some training and direction. Come on mayor wake up. ann - ashland or - November 25th, 8:18 AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.